Contemporary upgrade transforms 1950s residence into a 21st-century abode
Transforming a 1950s Semi-Detached House into a Modern Family Home
In 2023, Sara and her husband Pete moved into a 1950s pebble-dashed semi-detached house, which underwent a remarkable transformation thanks to micro-developer Sara's creative vision. The house, now double its original size, has been radically remodelled and extended to be light-drenched and thoroughly modern.
The renovation retained only the front elevation and a part of a side wall from the original semi-detached house; the rest was demolished and rebuilt as a "complete new build." Sara designed a ground floor with a circular circuit through the rooms to create a strong sense of flow. She emphasized versatility by enabling areas to be opened up or closed off by doors, allowing privacy and flexible use of spaces such as the study, hall, and snug.
The interior palette incorporates a Scandinavian-inspired palette dominated by muted tones, natural textures, and sustainable materials. The main space in the house, which is eight meters wide, features a seating pod, a sleek minimal kitchen with cupboards in oak veneer, and poured concrete floors. The kitchen also boasts a best boiling water tap to avoid kettle clutter.
The hallway stairs are an intricate design with balustrades made of oak veneered ply. The main bedroom has smart design solutions, including remote-controlled curtains and a slim space-saving door that folds flush to the wall. The en suite uses terrazzo-effect stone, concrete, and microcement for a modern industrial feel.
The house now includes a garden, landscaped by a company called GRDN to Sara's design. The garden features Amelanchier trees with spring blossom, autumn color, and edible fruits. Sara chose small-format, natural clay paving stones for the patio and garden paths. The garden room has an Eco Smart LED heater that uses infra-red technology.
While specific details on garden landscaping from these results are limited, the emphasis on natural materials and calm, warm aesthetics suggests that any landscaping would likely complement this ethos. No detailed garden design specifics were found in the provided sources.
The guest bedroom is part of the rear extension and is a light-filled, welcome place to relax. A bedroom suite, complete with a dressing room, was added to the house by building an extra storey on the existing two. The snug has an organic, simple, neutral palette with textured materials, clay plastered walls, exposed joists, and oak veneer for shelving.
In summary, Sara's approach combines preservation of key original exterior elements with a contemporary restructuring focused on flow, versatility, natural materials, and a Scandinavian-inspired calming palette to transform the 1950s property into a modern family home.
- To create a harmonious connection between the interior-design and the outdoor lifestyle, Sara incorporated houseplants and natural clay paving stones into the landscaping of her modern home, designed by GRDN.
- The home office, a versatile space enabled by Sara's design, can be closed off by doors for privacy, accentuating the various areas' flexible use and promoting a balanced home-and-garden lifestyle.
- In the spirit of home-improvement, Sara upgraded the kitchen with a sleek, minimal design incorporating an oak veneer and a boiling water tap, adding modern convenience to enhance her interior-design vision.
